ROLAND GARROS

May 27, 2022

Alexander Zverev

Press Conference

A. ZVEREV/B. Nakashima

7-6, 6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: This is your 10th consecutive round of 16 in a major. What do you attribute this consistency to?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I mean, let's keep it that way. I hope I go to Wimbledon so keep that streak.

Yeah, I mean, look, in the early stage of my career I think I was struggling with Grand Slams a lot. I was winning other tournament and going deep at other tournaments, and Grand Slams were always the ones that I was struggling with.

I'm happy that kind of I can say that I'm hopefully also going to be stable in the future.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. At the end of the match, you gave a special thanks to one of your fans who was cheering you on in the crowd, waving a German flag. So I just wanted to know how much do you play for yourself, how much do you play for your country, and how much do you play for your fans? Also, is there any difference for you between playing in an empty stadium and a stadium full of fans?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Oh, I think the last question I don't even need to answer, right? I think the atmosphere is what makes sports. I think that's what gives you the emotions. I have said that a lot of times.

Tennis is a sport where it's one against one. But I have a lot of people that are behind my back working for me. I obviously have my parents, I have my brother, who have kind of dedicated their lives for my tennis career. I have coaches now, I have a lot of different people.

I have a lot of fans back in Germany, as well. I always appreciate when the support is there. Obviously this special fan, I met her a few years ago, and it's great to see that people can really enjoy tennis again. I think it's quite a lot of fun to play in full stadiums rather than empty stadiums again.

Q. Let me ask a chauvinistic question, which in Italy they are very proud of having Sinner and Musetti. There is a big gap between the two in terms of ranking. Somebody says that there is not a big gap in terms of quality of tennis. I'd like to know your opinion about it, and even if everyone thinks that one maybe is more talented, the other one is more solid and powerful. Can you tell me something different and original about those two?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Who is more talented out of those two?

Q. I'm not going to tell you. You have to tell me.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Okay. Something original about those two. I think both of them are going to be great players. Right now Jannik is more established. He's been top 10, he played in Turin last year. That is an establishment that Musetti doesn't have yet.

He has beaten top-10 players, has beaten a lot of great players in his career already. He's beaten me two years ago here. I think that's something that Musetti still needs to accomplish.

In my opinion, he's one of the most talented players, most gifted players that we have on the tour. It looks also very nice to watch him play. He has a great technique, one-handed backhand. It's quite beautiful tennis.

But it's up to him what he does with that talent, and I cannot answer that question for you.

Q. How did you feel on the court today? How your tough win against Baez have a positive impact on your preparation for today's game?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think I played better than I did two days ago. There is no question about that. But also very different match. I think today he's serving a lot better. Baez has a much better forehand, moves better on the clay court. Brandon has a much better backhand. It's very opposite game styles.

Yeah, today in general I played better, and I felt better on the court.

Q. What do you know about your next rival, Zapata?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: You know, not much, to be honest. Obviously he's having the week of his life here, and playing a lot of great tennis. So I need to be at my best to give myself the best chance to win against him.

I think when you have a run like that, you kind of want to keep it going. He's going to look forward to that.